Short Summary

ROYAL THAI VOLUNTEERS, WHOSE DUTIES MAINLY INVOLVE THEM IN THE PACIFICATION PROGRAMME IN AREAS FROM WHICH The VIET CONG HAVE BEEN DRIVEN, ARE THIS WEEK PART IN "OPERATION ROME PLOUGH", OPENING A ROAD THROUGH WOODLAND ON TO THE NEXT STRING OF VILLAGES CONTROLLED BY THE VIET CONG .

Description

ROYAL THAI VOLUNTEERS, WHOSE DUTIES MAINLY INVOLVE THEM IN THE PACIFICATION PROGRAMME IN AREAS FROM WHICH The VIET CONG HAVE BEEN DRIVEN, ARE THIS WEEK PART IN "OPERATION ROME PLOUGH", OPENING A ROAD THROUGH WOODLAND ON TO THE NEXT STRING OF VILLAGES CONTROLLED BY THE VIET CONG . IT IS THE FIRST OPERATION FOR MORE THAN A MONTH WHICH HAS TAKEN THE THAI TROOPS OUT OF THEIR BASE, "BEAR CAT", AT LONG THANH.

THE THAI SOLDIERS' DUTIES ARE AIMED AT PROTECTING PEOPLE LIVING IN REMOTE VILLAGES AND TO HELP THEM LIVE BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE VIET CONG.

WITH THE NEW ROAD BEING OPENED UP, CONTACT WITH VILLAGERS WILL BE EASIER AND SWIFTER, AND THE THAIS WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE MORE EFFECTIVE AID TO THE PEOPLE.

BULLDOZERS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT IN TO AN AREA 15 MILES (APPROX 24 KM) FROM THE "BEAR CAT" BASE AT LONG THANH. HEAVY ARTILLERY HAS ALSO BEEN MOVED UP TO GIVE PROTECTION TO THE ENGINEERS WORKING ON THE ROAD.

DURING THE OPERATION EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE TROOPS CARRIED OUT A "CORDON AND SEARCH" OPERATION IN THE HAMLET OF VUNG CAM, 20 MILES (APPROX 32 KM) SOUTH-WEST OF LONG THANH. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF THE VIET CONG OR OF AMMUNITION CACHES, AND THE SOLDIERS RESTED IN THE HAMLET BEFORE CONTINUING THE MAIN OPERATION.